Director, Semiconductor Reliability and Failure Analysis
Vishay SiliconixJob Title
Director, Semiconductor Reliability and Failure Analysis
Role Summary
Lead the global product quality, reliability, and failure analysis function for discrete Si, SiC, and power ICs at the division level. Define standards, methods, and procedures; oversee technical investigations of complex customer or qualification issues; and manage a global reliability and FA team.
Position is based in San Jose, CA with a hybrid working arrangement; role requires close collaboration with R&D, Engineering, Operations, and external partners.
Experience Level
Senior-level; typically requires 15+ years in semiconductor quality and reliability, including 5+ years working with wide-bandgap (SiC) power semiconductor technology.
Responsibilities
Accountable for global reliability and failure analysis strategy, team leadership, and execution across R&D, NPI, and high-volume manufacturing.
- Oversee global Reliability and Failure Analysis operations and implement quality systems, guidelines, plans, and policies.
- Lead technical investigations for complex customer quality issues and product qualification failures.
- Review engineering designs with R&D to define reliability requirements, screening, and burn-in approaches for new platforms and products.
- Design experiments and statistical studies to determine device reliability (e.g., gate oxide lifetime, time-dependent dielectric breakdown).
- Establish test and characterization methodologies for SiC power devices during R&D, NPI, and HVM.
- Define requirements for reliability test equipment and coordinate development and transfer to manufacturing.
- Manage and develop global reliability and FA personnel to ensure adequate coverage and capability.
- Represent the division in industry bodies such as JEDEC and AECQ and coordinate external collaborations.
- Present reliability findings and project status to senior management and external stakeholders.
Requirements
Key technical and leadership qualifications required for the role.
- 15+ years of experience in semiconductor quality and reliability with significant senior-level responsibilities.
- 5+ years working with wide-bandgap (SiC) power semiconductor technology; hands-on experience with SiC MOSFETs and diodes at wafer and package level.
- Proven experience leading global teams and managing cross-functional projects across R&D, Engineering, and Operations.
- Strong knowledge of reliability test methods, failure analysis, screening, burn-in, and manufacturing transfer processes.
- Solid understanding of statistical analysis and design of experiments.
- Knowledge of semiconductor TCAD tools for device simulation (e.g., Synopsys Sentaurus, Silvaco Victory).
- Excellent leadership, problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Familiarity with industry standards and customer requirements (JEDEC, AECQ) and board-level reliability considerations.
- Nice-to-have: experience with GaN devices.
Education Requirements
PhD or Master’s degree in electronics engineering, physics, or another microelectronics-related field.
About the Company
Company: Vishay Siliconix
Headquarters: Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Vishay Siliconix is the Vishay subsidiary in Taiwan specializing in power MOSFETs, semiconductor packaging and related R&D and manufacturing. Founded in 1974, it produces discrete semiconductors and supports automotive, industrial, computing, telecommunications and other markets as part of the global Vishay group.
